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The Veterans Business Outreach Center of the Dakotas, funded through the U.S. Small Business Administration, has been awarded $290,000 for year-three of their program, hosted through the University of North Dakota. VBOC, operated out of the Center for Innovation on the UND campus, serves both North and South Dakota.

The VBOC program is a one-stop shop for service members, veterans, and military spouses looking to start, purchase, or grow a small business. A primary focus is facilitation and delivery of the Boots to Business training workshop both on and off the military installations across North and South Dakota. On base, Boots to Business is part of the Transition Assistance Program preparing service members whose service time is soon ending. However, the course is open to non-transitioning service members and military spouses as well, depending on class seating availability. Boots to Business Reboot is the off-base equivalent for veterans of any era, National Guard, Reservists, as well as spouses.

“We are excited to be adding a staff member with cycle of grant funding. Our program reach and client base is growing,” said Wendy Klug, program manager. “The addition of a full time team member located in Bismarck will allow us to increase our outreach as well as client advising.”

Training workshops and confidential one-on-one advising provided by VBOCs include concept assessments, business plan preparations, comprehensive feasibility analysis, entrepreneurial training and consulting, and other business development related services.

At present, with pandemic limitations, many training events are being transition to be offered via virtual platforms. Additional training and webinar options are in development.

VBOC of the Dakotas is part of the Center for Business Engagement & Development in the Nistler College of Business and Public Administration. The program works closely with the other programs in that department, the ND SBDC and the ND PTAC.

Learn more about VBOC of the Dakotas, see a schedule of training events, and register for service at www.UND.edu/DakotasVBOC